Born to a wealthy and pious family, Anysia lived private vows of chastity and poverty, praying and using her wealth to help the poor. One day a Roman soldier accosted her as she was on her way to services. When he discovered she was a Christian, possibly she crossed herself in fear, he beat her, and said was going to drag her to a pagan temple and force her to make a sacrifice. When he tore off the veil she habitually wore as a sign of her chastity, she spit in his face; he murdered her.